Game apparatus



Sept. 22, 1936. H. F. SCOFIELD GAME APPARATUS Filed Dec. 19, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l CARD N1 3 4 [EA/TOR W- g, ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 22, 1936 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE 14 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in game apparatus, and the same has for its object to provide an apparatus by means of which crossword or analogous puzzles may be worked or I played by two persons playing in competition.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide an apparatus of the character specified in which cross-word blank cards may be removably inserted at will. 3

Further, said invention has for its object to provide an apparatus having block-pockets or retaining devices thereon corresponding in size and. number with the squares of the card bearing the cross-word puzzle to be solved.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide an apparatus inwhich the block pockets or retaining devices are adapted to receive separate blocks which are so constructed that the same may be positioned in said retaining pockets v or devices without concealing the number or indicating means of the square of the puzzle card associated with said pocket or retaining device.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide an apparatus of the character specified in which the blocks to be used bear different colors or identifying means on two of their major faces, and each of said faces bears the same letter, numeral or indicating character.

1 Other objects will in part be obvious and in'part be pointed out hereinafter.

' To the attainment of the aforesaid objects and ends my invention consists in the novel features of construction, and in the combination, connection and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and then pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a face view showing one form of game apparatus constructed according to, and embodying my said invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmental face view showing the lower portions of the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; i

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 5 and 6 are face views of a playing block showing, respectively, the arrangement of the letters on the obverse and reverse sides thereof,

and

Fig. 7 is a face view of a card bearing a crossword puzzle problem.

In said drawings an designates a suitable flat support, such as a board of wood, cardboard or other suitable material, and preferably provided on one side with a shallow rectangular recess H.

The said recess II has its upper end extending to the upper edge of the support to provide an entrance opening I2 to receive a puzzle card 13, hereinafter more fully described.

Upon the upper surface of the support II] and enclosing the recess H is a retaining frame l4 which is secured in position on said support. The said frame includes twovertical or side members l of substantially Z-shape in cross section, and angular transverse top and bottom members ll, I8, respectively, which are secured at their opposite ends to the upper and lower ends of the side members [5.

Within the retaining frame I4 is secured a reticular member I 9 having rectangular openings or pockets therein. In the present embodiment the frame is shown as having nine vertical rows each of nine pockets 20, and the vertical side members [5 and transverse top and bottom members ll, l8 are severally provided with numerals running from 11 to 9 and corresponding vertically and horizontally with the rows of pockets 2|] in the reticular member l9.

The card l3 bearing the cross-word puzzle to be solved is provided with nine vertical rows of columns 2| each having nine squares or blanks 22 of which certain thereof as 23 are colored to distinguish from the remaining ones, and to form a design.

Each of the squares 22 is provided at one corner with a number or suitable indicating device which corresponds with the number of the word on a separate chart, and for which word the numbered series of squares 22 constitute the definition or answer.

Playing blocks 24 covering the entire alphabet, and of the requisite number of each letter to enable the players to carry out the game are provided. The said blocks are of substantially rectangular form, and each has one corner cutaway as at 25 to expose the indicating device in the corner of each square 22 of the card I3 when the block is positioned within the opening or pocket 20 of the reticular member I 9, and to facilitate the insertion and removal of said block within its respective pocket. Each block 24 has its two major surfaces contrastingly colored, and each bearing thereon the same letter as for example A, but said letters are disposed at angles of ninety degrees to each other so that whichever side of the block is uppermost in the pocket 20 of the member 19 the cutaway portion 25 will be in the upper left-hand corner of the pocket and thus expose the number in the corresponding square 22 of the card [3 therebelow.

The game is played in the'following manner.

It will, of course, be understood that the same is to be played by two individuals or players, and that each one will select one color or side of the playing block for his side.

The players being first provided with a schedule or list of words corresponding to the numbered squares of the puzzle card 13 may proceed in different ways, for example, each player may in turn place one block in a pocket, or each player may insert as many blocks as possible without regard to the number of turns and the one having the greatest number of correct answers, or the one having the greater number of correct words, or the greater numberof blocks: of his color in the reticular member, when'the pockets are all filled, will be the winner.

Having thus described my said invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1. A game apparatus of the character described comprising a member having a plurality of pockets therein openat their bases, a carddisposed below said pockets having designated spaces thereon corresponding to and registering with said pockets, certain of said spaces having indicating 'characters thereon exposed through the pockets corresponding; thereto, and blocks having indicating means thereon insertable in said pockets.

2. A game apparatus of the character described comprising a support for a puzzle card having designated spaces thereon and indicating characters associated with certain ,of' said spaces,

means for retaining said card in position upon said support, a member associated with said sup- 7 port having pockets therein corresponding in size and number with the spaces on said puz-' with said support having pockets therein corthe bases thereof to expose the indicating charresponding in size and number with the spaces on said puzzle card, said pockets being open at acters upon the card and serving to receive blocks having indicating means thereon,

4. A game apparatus of the character described comprising a support for a puzzle card having designated spaces thereon, an indicating character for each space disposed thereon, means for retaining said card'in position upon said support,'a reticular member associated with said' support'having pockets therein corresponding in size and number With'the spaces on said puzzle card, and exposing said indicating-characters therethrough, and blocks -having indicating means thereoninsertable in said pockets; said blocksreach having a'portion thereof cut away to expose the indicating character in the space below the same when said block is in normal position within its pocket. Q

A game apparatus of the character described 'comprising a; support for a puzzle card having designated spaces thereon, an indicating character for each space, means for retaining said card in position upon said support, a reticular member associated with said support having pockets therein corresponding in size and number with the spaces on said puzzle card, and blocks having indicating means thereon insertable in said pockets; said blocks having their major surfaces distinguishably colored, and each provided with a letter of the alphabet.

6. A game apparatus of the character described comprising a support for a puzzle card having designated spaces thereon, an indicating device for each space disposed thereon, means for retaining said card in position upon said support, a reticular member associated with said support having pockets therein corresponding in size and number with the spaces on said puzzle card, and blocks having indicating means thereon insertable in said pockets; said blocks having a letter of the alphabet upon its major surfaces and having a corner portion cut away to expose the indicating character in the square of the space below said block when said block is in normal position within said pocket and displaying the letter upon its exposed face.

7. In a game apparatus of the character described comprising a, support having a recess in the upper side thereof to providea pocket for a puzzle card having designated spaces thereon, an indicating device thereon for each space, a reticular member having pockets disposed on said support above said recess, and a frame secured to said support and enclosing said reticular member. V

8. A game apparatus of the character described comprising a support, means thereon for receiving a cross-word'puzzle card having des-' ignated spaces thereon and a number designating each space of said card, means for retaining said card in position upon said support, a reticular member disposed upon said support having pockets therein corresponding in size and number with the spaces on said puzzle card, a frame enclosing said reticular member and secured along its edges to said support; said frame having numerals upon its vertical and horizontal members corresponding to the vertical and horizontal rows of pockets therein, and blocks insertable in said pockets; said blocks having their major surfaces diiferently colored and provided uponeach surface with letters of the alphabet, and each block having one corner cut away to expose the number of the space on the card below said block when said block is in normal position within its respective pocket and exposing the letter of either of its major surfaces.

9. A game apparatus of the character described comprising a member having a plurality of pockets therein arranged in vertical and horizontal rows, word indicating characters associated with said pockets at the bases thereof and located to indicate the defined spaces in the horizontal and vertical rows beginning the words indicated, and playing elements bearing letters of the alphabet for insertion into said pockets to complete the various words, said playing elements fitting said pockets and each having a portion thereof removed to expose the word indicating character below the same.

10. A game apparatus of the character described comprising a support having a pocket therein for receiving a cross-word puzzle card having word indicating characters associated therewith and located to designate the word beginnings; a reticular member secured to'said support above said card, and having pockets registering with the corresponding designated portions of said card and exposing said indicating characters therethrough, and letter bearing elements adapted to be inserted into said pockets in building up the various words and formed to provide clearances when inserted in place within the pocket to allow the word indicating characters to be exposed to view.

11. A game apparatus of the character described comprising a member having a plurality of pockets therein, a cross-word puzzle card associated with said member at the base thereof and having word indicating characters thereon exposed through said pockets, and playing elements for said pockets having letters thereon in contrasted relation to enable play by two or more persons. a

12. A game apparatus of the character described comprising a support having a pocket for receiving a cross-word puzzle card having word indicating characters thereon, a member thereon having pockets registering with said card, and blocks having letters upon opposite sides thereof in contrasted relation and adapted to be inserted into said pockets, each of said blocks having a portion removed for exposing the word indicating character when the block is inserted within its pocket with either letter thereon in exposed normal position.

13. A game apparatus of the character described comprising a member having a plurality of block-receiving openings therethrough, a card disposed below said openings having designated spaces thereon registering with said openings; certain of said spaces having indicating characters thereon normally exposed through said openings, and blocks having indicating means thereon insertable in said openings.

14. A game apparatus of the character described comprising a member having a plurality of openings therethrough, a cross-word puzzle card associated with said member at the base thereof and having word indicating characters thereon normally exposed through said openings, and playing elements for said openings having letters thereon to enable play by two or more persons. r

HERBERT F. SCOFIELD. 

